Pacific Aviation Museum Restores Tower, Seeks Volunteers

Pacific Aviation Museum’s Ford Island Control Tower now sports red-and-white stripes. Photo courtesy Pacific Aviation Museum.

Pacific Aviation Museum is getting a facility boost, thanks to a $1.5 million Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust grant, which helps efforts to restore and open historic sites at its Ford Island location.

The funds will go toward interior restoration of the Ford Island Control Tower Operations Building. Phase I of restoration is complete, and the 158-foot tower now sports a fresh coat of bright red-and-white stripes.

According to the museum, renovations include returning the service elevator to operable condition, and providing the growing attraction with operational offices and a public library.

“The gift from the Buehler Trust, combined with the recent $550,000 state Grants in Aid allocation and a $100,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation gives us great confidence that the Ford Island Control Tower complex will be completed in time to allow public access by the December 2016 commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor,” stated executive director of Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Ken DeHoff.

It is estimated that $7.5 million is required to completely restore the tower.

More information on the project and donation information are available online at pacificaviationmuseum.org.

Also, Pacific Aviation Museum is growing and volunteers are greatly needed. Available opportunities include docents and tour guides, restoration crewmembers, flight simulator air bosses and more.

Volunteers not only receive free admission to the museum and other Pearl Harbor historic sites, but also are able to work on aircraft and meet veterans, experienced pilots and mechanics.

For more information or a volunteer application, call Ashley Sands at 445-9189 or email ashley.sands@pacificaviationmuseum.org.